Gavaskar Calls for Kuldeep Yadav's Inclusion in Second Test Amid Bumrah Fitness Concerns

Gavaskar Advocates for Kuldeep Yadav's Inclusion in Second Test Against England

Following India's five-wicket defeat to England in the Leeds Test, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has urged the team management to make immediate changes to the playing XI, specifically suggesting the inclusion of spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Gavaskar believes Kuldeep should replace Shardul Thakur for the crucial second Test in Birmingham, anticipating conditions favorable to wrist spin.

Kuldeep Yadav pictured with teammates Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.

"Whether Jasprit Bumrah is fit or not, I think Kuldeep Yadav has to come into the team. I do believe that he should come into the team for Shardul Thakur because the Birmingham pitch will be one where there will be just a little bit of help for the wrist spinner," Gavaskar stated during a broadcast on Tuesday.

Thakur, who was playing his first Test in over two years, struggled to make a significant impact in the match. He bowled a mere six overs in the first innings, conceding 38 runs without taking a wicket. With the bat, he managed only five runs across both innings. While he did briefly shine in the second innings by dismissing Ben Stokes and Harry Brook off consecutive deliveries, Gavaskar felt that his overall performance wasn't convincing enough to warrant his place in the team.

The leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav has only played one Test match in England. This was at Lord's in 2018, where he didn't take a single wicket. Even so, Gavaskar is convinced that his variation could be very important in Birmingham.

Gavaskar also addressed concerns regarding the middle order, focusing on debutant Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair. Both batsmen were dismissed for ducks in the first innings at Headingley. This contributed to a collapse of the batting order, changing a strong 430/3 to 471 all out.

While Gavaskar isn't in favor of dropping Sudharsan and Nair immediately, he hinted at a potential reshuffle if India falls 0-2 behind in the series.

“If things don't go well in the second Test, maybe Sai (Sudharsan) and Karun (Nair). I don't want to drop them at the moment. Then I'd also look at Washington (Sundar), so that it really gives you a more solid batting, and also get a little more variety as far the bowling is concerned,” he said.

After the painful loss to England at Headingley on Day 5, India will look to level the series when they face England at Edgbaston starting July 2.